Gyeongju: Today, Friday, in the city of Gyeongju in South Korea, the summit of leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum was launched with the aim of enhancing resilience and growth amid global trade disruptions. The summit, in which 21 member economies, guest countries, and representatives of international organizations participate, seeks to strengthen resilience and stimulate growth in light of global trade fluctuations.
According to Yemen News Agency, the two-day summit comes in the context of escalating economic challenges and the search for ways to support stronger economic integration in the Asia-Pacific region. In his opening speech, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung emphasized the importance of cooperation and solidarity as the surest path to a more stable future, noting that the technological revolution led by artificial intelligence presents unprecedented crises and opportunities at the same time.
Lee Jae-myung stressed that the region stands at a critical juncture amid the rapid changes taking place in the international system. The conference was attended by leaders from China, Japan, and other APEC member countries, while U.S. President Donald Trump was absent from the summit. It was noted that he had previously participated in the summit’s business forum and concluded his visit by holding bilateral talks with the Korean and Chinese presidents.
The summit’s agenda focuses on making the Asia-Pacific region ‘more open, dynamic, and resilient,’ through enhancing cooperation in supply chains and moving toward digital transformation. South Korea, as the host country, seeks to issue the ‘Gyeongju Declaration’ to reflect APEC members’ commitment to cooperation and multilateralism, while highlighting advanced initiatives in the fields of artificial intelligence and demographic changes.